ABUJA – An official of American Labour Solidarity Centre, and NGO, has called on the National Assembly to pass Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill.
Mrs Nkechi Odinukwe the centre’s Senior Progamme Officer, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Odinukwe spoke to NAN ahead of the commemoration of the 2014 International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women slated for Nov. 25.
She said the bill addresses various gender issues such as female circumcision, domestic violence, early marriage, rape, harmful widowhood practices amongst others.
She added that it also prescribed harsh sentences for rape and other sexual offences; compensations for rape victims and institutional protection for women from abuse through restraining orders.
Odinuwe said the bill made provisions that would recognise the rights of every Nigerian to safety both in the workplace and at home.
She urged the Federal government to promote practical measures that would protect health workers and patients against violence at their place of work.
“Work place violence is one of the complex and dangerous occupational hazards facing people working in healthcare sector.
“Violence at work not only has immediate effect on the victims, it also affects other people directly or indirectly,’’ she said, adding that work related violence hampers performance.
She said that violence at work place could lead to anger, humiliation, shame, frustration, loss of confidence and increase job stress.
“Work related violence also affects work performance and causes employee attrition.
She said violence could include homicide, assaults, threats, bullying, sexual harassment, verbal abuse amongst others. (NAN)